Niyi Ademoroti: Why Eunice Atuejide’s Comments on Feminism are Just Sad and Tired

In the most basic sense, feminism is hinged on the ideology that men and women are equal, and should be afforded the same opportunities.

How is this so difficult to understand?

Maybe we should expect it from men (after all, people are seldom willing to give up their privileges), but what about the women who have come forward to denounce feminism outrightly? How do you firmly stand against an ideology that benefits you?

Too many people have said that while they believe in the equality of the sexes, and want women to be afforded same opportunities, they refuse to be identified with feminism.

The list is filled with influential names: German councillor Angela Merkel and Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic, for example.

Most recent is a Nigerian presidential aspirant Eunice Atuejide, who, on her Twitter, has made it very clear that she isn’t a feminist.

Again, I'm not a feminist!I actually hate it when people call me feminist because that word means too many things, many of which I DON'T LIKE!EVERYONE should have a fair chance. Be yourself and be treated right being yourselfSo guys, lets caption this picture!#ANigeria4Allpic.twitter.com/JPJkebOU3W

It’s easy to understand why Merkel and Grabar-Kitarovic do not want to be associated with the feminist label: their politics lean to the right and the tag could take a bite out of their political capital. (Grabar-Kitarovic is also anti-abortion.)

But what’s Atuejide’s excuse?

Well, the truth is, in Nigeria among many other places, being a feminist comes with some flak.

The word feminist, in several circles, is a “bad” word. To them, it describes a woman who refuses to acknowledge the physical differences between the sexes. A woman who disrupts the order created by God. A woman who wants to take a man’s place in the society (and the home).

I'M NOT A FEMINIST!Na by force?And who is a feminist?My friend who won't cook for her husband & kids cos of equality?The one who always insults men bcos she can? Ladies who won't let men hold doors for them cos it diminishes their value? What does feminism mean?#ANigeria4All

And no one wants to be seen as that- especially in a country like Nigeria where religion is the driving force of the community.

But, the misconstrued belief of what feminism is, is far from the truth of what it is. A quick and proper research of what feminism is will provide accurate information. Those who are truly interested in understanding the principles of feminism and the different intersections that exist within it, know that knowledge is easily attainable.

Feminism recognizes the difference between the sexes, while insisting they should be given equal respect.

Feminism focuses on the empowerment of all women (and is called feminism) because it is the women who have been more disadvantaged in our society. Feminism encompasses the elevation of the rights of all women (class, races and sexuality notwithstanding)

Let’s take politics for example. Do women in politics have the same access as men? Or do we (automatically) set different standards for women?

Twitter user @dondekojo shared an enlightening thread.

The entire idea of feminism is that the standards set for men and women in all aspects are the same; that women get just the same amount of flak (or praise) as men when they do or say the same things. Simple. It’s crazy that this still needs explaining.

If you believe that men and women should be given equal opportunities in the society, that’s all it takes to identify as feminist. Equality and equity.

Rejecting a label, when you agree with its core ideals, because of extremities is cowardice by the way.

Eunice Atuejide’s tweet came with the condemnation of the fact that the 2019 presidential aspirants who formed a coalition on Tuesday were all men, that female aspirants like herself, Elishama Ideh and Remi Sonaiya were not invited to sit at the table – that itself is a feminist stand.

That she and the other women can even run to become president of a country (and that women today can vote) is due to the hard work of the feminism she casually condemns.

97 Comments on Niyi Ademoroti: Why Eunice Atuejide’s Comments on Feminism are Just Sad and Tired

mamajollofAugust 1, 2018 at 5:58 pm

The definition of feminism is as SIMPLE as it can be. So what does this woman mean by “it means too many things”??? Smh, Eunice is a disgrace to women across the country and I FEAR for those who support her campaign.

God bless you cocoa and see, i am a first a woman and i have been in support of other women but i am NOT A FEMINIST. The people who brought about this movement i do not wish to associate with in any form. Dont you ever dare to call a woman who has discovered what she wants and stands for a disgrace because it makes everyone see this your feminism as a forceful and oppressive movement. During the ABA women riot where was feminism ? Did they wait for feminism before they knew the power they had inside. In the north its recorded that women went to war etc so please ohh YOU CAN BE A STRONG WOMAN WITHOUT BEING A FEMINIST.

Me I no understand wetin una dey talk. This is why speaking “functionally” is important. The only difference between myself and a man are the lack of body hair, long head hair, lack of a beard, and lack of male genitalia and the functions that come with it. When it comes to multi-tasking, I have an edge because of the physiology of my female brain. When it comes to engaging in daring tasks that require testosterone and muscle males are likely to surpass me. So where they are weak I am strong and vice versa. What this means is they need me wherever as a complement, and I need the same of them. What we have done wrong with this whole argument is allow cultural innuendos to color the lenses through which we view issues of being female and male. In some cultures, people translate not kowtowing to one’s spouse’s every demand including harmful demands as being disrespectful. Therefore a woman who says she would not tolerate harm is disrespectful. The behavior is something we frequently attribute to feminists. Well, a woman who is defending her right to health is not a feminist. She is a human being. So I am left wondering if the labeling is causing the real story to veer off course!

Unfortunately, feminism is not so easy to define anymore. You only have to look at the US and other western nations to see what has become of the culture that has been dragged into what many think is feminism. A couple of examples will suffice: A coworker just shared with me recently that his friend, whose wife was a known drunk, got into an altercation with the wife. She, punch drunk, sucker-punched him for no apparent reason. In self defence, he pushed her away. She promptly called the cops. Long story short, they cuffed him and had him locked up for two days, despite her admission that she initiated the altercation. The couple have since divorced. In the US today, any incident between a man and his wife will most likely result in the man being forced out of the house, even if his wife is the guilty party. He will be lucky if he’s not even locked up like the innocent man in the example above. In divorce court, especially where children are involved, the woman has the upper hand. Knowing this, women work to prevent their exes from access to their kids, while insisting on taking half of the man’s assets and a continuing alimony payment. Yeah, “provide for the kids, but don’t ever see them!” What’s worse, a man suspected the kid wasn’t his, and had a DNA test which proved him right. He went to court to stop the alimony payments, but lost his case. He was ordered to continue supporting a child that wasn’t his! That’s not equality of the sexes; it’s superiority of the female, and it is oppressive! The stories are endless. For want of time and space, I can’t go on. I understand and totally agree with the feminist movement of yesteryears, but it appears the feminists have run out of ideas and battles to fight, so they are mostly now just trying to destroy men and manhood. In Sweden, kids don’t know whether they are male or female. This is a direct fallout of hyper-feminism which doesn’t merely want equality, but wants confusion of the sexes and genders. We are a world that has lost its bearing, and hyper-feminism is largely responsible. Don’t get me wrong, though, there is still much work to be done in developing countries like Nigeria where in-laws still kick widows out of their matrimonial homes, and little girls are married off to ragged old pedophiles, but we must be careful what we do with our brand of feminism. My suspicion is Eunice has seen where this all leads to, and that is why she says feminism means too many things.

It is not your prerogative to determine that a woman should attach a certain label to herself because it strikes you as the superior position. I didn’t watch the interview but from the point you’ve raised, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with Eunice Atuejide’s position on the issue, or that of other women in politics that you highlighted in your article. As a matter of fact, their stand is rational and respectable.

Feminism is a concept that means many things to many different people. And quite frankly, some ideas people have about feminism obviously do not conform to her ideals. She, like many women, will simply not sleep under an amorphous blanket of a word that she is uncomfortable with. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that.

So in your rant, you have come across as a person who tries to shove their ideals down other people’s throats. Is it by force? In her own words.

i don’t agree with you. As far as criticisms go, it was not forceful. Not in any manner that attempts to shove any ideals down anyone’s throat. Also, the writer was critiquing someone who is a presidential aspirant, i think the boundaries are a bit raised here. We have to hold them to more accountability. So unless, you think any article or think piece that opposes or critiques someone is “shoving ideas down throat”- i honestly fail to see how you arrived at your conclusion concerning the writer.

Well, critiques are relevant and should be encouraged. To me, this is not a critique but an attempt to denigrate the subject because she does not want a label he feels she should wave as banner. In my minds eye, that is shoving. I say I am not this, but you insist I have to be that otherwise shame on me. The caption of the article says that much to me. Like they say, we all look (read) and see (interpret) differently.

You seem to miss the writer’s core point. That Eunice can speak in public, get an education, marry whom she pleases, work, drive, vote and as she hopes, be voted for, are possible not by virtue of any God given rights but by the tireless efforts of so many women and pleasingly men whose passion and dogged fight was based solidly of feminism – the recognition of women as essential parts of society, to be regarded, rewarded and valued. I once read that to determine a society’s civility was to assess their efforts towards public health and in their treatment of their females.

The writer’s core point is essentially that Eunice should not have said she is not a feminist’ because she has no excuse and because feminism is the key to women empowerment. He completely disregards her point that she does not want to be called ‘feminist’ because of its numerous connotations and posits that what ‘feminism’ means is a simple as abc. That is actually untrue, in our present reality. He then went ahead to cite examples of other women who refused to self-identify as feminist. The whole thing about what feminism has done for women is to buttress the core point that should she should not have declined to identify as feminist.

Summarily, the writer’s core point is his revulsion (albeit beautifully written) at her failure to compulsory self-identify as feminist.

I have nothing against the writer or feminism for that matter. It is a very well written piece. My reservation is that women should not have to be shamed for not wearing a label they do not want to wear.

That’s just lazy because There are “numerous connotations and posits about what” christianity represents but it hasn’t stopped madam Eunice from identifying as one. It’s fine if she doesn’t want to accept the label but her condescending talk about her friend who refuses to cook just shows her true mentality

Hmmm. Does the writer of this BellaNaija article think that the author of the Twitter thread referenced and reproduced above (@dondekojo) is making a case for the movement for “compulsory identification” as a feminist, if you must benefit or uphold the ideals?

Not a feminist as well. And no, Feminism and equal rights are definitely NOT the same. See what the West (coiners of this term by the way) has degenerated to under the guise of feminism.

And please don’t be silly and assume that it’s only/mostly Nigerian women who reject the feminism label. A lot of westerners are pushing back significantly as well and are identifying themselves as non feminists.

I’m a Christian before anything. Before my sex, gender, tribe. Before any other means of identification, I am a Christian. I choose to view the male and female sex the way God sees it. My view of men and women is grounded with the way God designed that we should be. I know my answer may sound awfully simplistic because I am well aware that there are other arguments to accepting or rejecting the feminist label outside of religion but I’m not going into that today.

Whether my christian faith is in view with feminism or not isn’t really my concern so please no one should try to convince me that either God was a feminist or he was a sexist misogynist. Not really interested. I know he loves me tremendously regardless of my gender. 🙂

Ada nwanem we are here ohh, followers of christ there is this tingling wrong nudge i get from my spirit about FEMINISM poeple here will never understand that your FAITH and BELIEFS set the foundation for any other thing that may or should come into your life, for us ITS THE WORD OF God and HIS spirit. This is too deep for the human frail mind.

Religion – just like gender, marital status, age – is a sociodemographic variable that was fostered on us, mainly through birth.

We are humans first before anything else, and if we see ourselves this way, then it would be easier to treat everyone else (the remaining 7 billion folks on earth) as equals and in fairness.

As for the argument, I see nothing wrong in rejecting a label. For example, my lifestyle is more minimalist than it was a few years ago, but I choose to reject the avant-garde “Minimalism” label that is trending globally.

The way Nigerians bring up their faith/religion in any social discussions/ arguments, will make one think Nigeria is filled with the best people on earth and the country so developed 😂😆. Hypocrisy will be the death of us. I love God, I love God so much they say, yet, we are terrible in our human relationship and so corrupt.

Gender and marital status as parallels? Ok o. If you’d distinguished between female and woman with the latter being a social construct it may have better buttressed the point that i think you may have thought you were making.

i think my best definition for feminism is by bell hooks. she describes it as a movement against sexism, sexist oppression and sexist exploitation. Here is the thing, anyone can be sexist- male or female. Anyone that buys into the idea of the patriarchy, upholds systems that oppress women, and ideas etc is sexist and that can include women. These women are not intelligent, and clearly do not understand a lot of things. i want to say something as trite as “i am disappointed in Eunice whatever her name is” but I am not. A lot of women, and in my experience, Nigerian women wear their sexism with pride- that’s ok. you do you and be ignorant with pride. Yet, they enjoy the fruits of feminism, and don’t acknowledge that the rights they enjoy in a world occupied by people who think like they do would not be available to them. Isn’t that just the height of stupidity? If for no other reason but for self preservation? Personally, sometimes, I dont actually wear the “i am a feminist cap’ but that is because sometimes I want to draw attention to the fact that the right to live in a world free of sexist oppression shouldn’t be something I have to fight so hard for, so hard that my ideals become an ‘ism’ but only for that reason. Every mallam with him kettle sha, as a presidential aspirant, i know someone that will not be stepping foot in the white house, not if i can help it.

lmaooooooooooooooo. so you want feminism to have one term, or stream.. is that the same way you accept religion? Because religion has only the one tenet and there arent many ways to be a christian, muslim etc? This is the definition I go by and personally approve of because I think it delves into the root of the whole matter.. the problem is patriachy.. it addresses that without demonising either sex.

LOL so why are there so may denominations within Christianity? There ARE many ways to be a Christian. What are the fundamentals of Christianity? If you believe in Jesus Christ as the way to God as well as the Messiah, you are a Christian. In that sense, if you believe in providing the girl child with as many opportunities as humanly possible-cutting across all societal and cultural deleanations-you are fundamentally a feminist. However, some Christians believe that baptism must be conducted via immersion. That makes them Baptist. Some believe that spiritual authority has been delegated to the pope, that makes them Catholic. Some Christians believe in the Trinity (God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit) whereas others believe in the Oneness Doctrine (God, the Holy Spirit and Jesus are one). So to say there aren’t many ways to be a Christian is a little simplistic and frankly, a little ignorant. In that vein, some women identify with individualistic theories that women should maintain their equality through their own actions and choices. They are liberal feminists. Some women believe in the radical reordering of society in which male supremacy is eliminated in all social and economic contexts. Those are radical feminists. Whereas there womanists, who believe that the needs of women differ within cultural contexts (i.e black women and white women face different struggles) and that the challenges of women of color should be addressed uniquely. You can’t lump everything together

Thank you Cocoa. The fact is that feminism connotes different things to different people. Even Chimamanda, a feminist champion has once remarked regarding Beyoncé (another feminist champion I guess) “Still, her type of feminism is not mine”.

Personally, i’m a voltron for equal rights for women etc but I can’t be explaining where my ‘brand of feminism’ begins and where it ends. For that reason, don’t brand me if I haven’t branded myself. I don’t need to wear a name tag, and I can’t even feel ashamed about it.

@ Cocoa, I shudder at your ignorance. I have said this before, (when someone attempted to pass off a certain fad diet as a non diet “because it did not meet what many have now defined the word diet as today”.) That people use the word “Jeep” incorrectly does not mean when another uses the term Sport Utility Vehicle that they are somehow wrong. A popular misconception is STILL a misconception by all definitions. It does not however change the right definition of the word.

While there might be misconceptions on the definition of the word “feminism”, the right definition has however not changed irrespective of whose yardstick i.e definition one chooses to go by i.e Chimamanda’s or Merkel’s. While like the Croatian President and Merkel, Ms here (like yourself) are entitled to choose what label/brand you want to be known by, I mean that is the beauty of feminism. The difference between other female politicians mentioned above and this particular one however the ability to do that based on an educated decision. From this “aspirant’s” reaponse there is a clear indication of heightened level of ignorance, and for me, laziness i.e laziness that we see and complain about with our past and current government personnel when they make silly responses. Unlike yourself, however, Ms. Lady here is running for the top office in the nation, as such held to a higher standard therefore making incorrect statement by buying into “generalized” misconceptions will and should be rightly frowned upon.

In addition, I will also reiterate something I have always said. When you start your argument with broad generalizations, in this case, “…Is not the same definition EVERY other femnist”. (Like you have spoken to all feminists or even know all feminists, you even went as far as making your generalization in caps. Ha!) You are most likely starting out on a wrong footing.

Ive read all you wrote and my stance remains the same. I do not want the label even if, as you suggest , it be tailor made to my specification. I already have a label ….CHILD OF GOD. I love that one, it suits me well.

😂😂😂 @ child of God, I guess you are not a woman/man either. If you think because as a Christian (which I am) we don’t get to be defined or labeled as other things while in these world, then I will not even bother. Even Jesus was called teacher and the son of a carpenter amongst other things. I will not even bother delving into any of that with you. Lastly, like I said you are entitled to choosing what you want to be “labelled” as but be wise (you know the Bible verse wise as a serpent) to do so with proper education, I believe that was the only offer made here. So not certain what feminism offer, you are passing on based on my comment as I don’t believe I ever made or inferred one was being made. Or those being a “child of God” infer an inability to read and understand ?

Good question!!! It appears that very few women understand the principles upon which feminism is based. Inalienable rights!! Not whether a woman stops cooking, cleaning or suddenly begins to domestically abuse her husband. I mean for goodness sakes some actual women shudder and relate feminism with the abominable act of no longer ‘washing plate’.

We are not all FEMINIST ojare its not by force, the generation of women after me will never be, i pray for two girls first then two boys. As your feminist people suggets the boys should be taught to do house chores i support but feminist women should teach their DAUGHTERS SOME ELECTRICALS in the house cos i just discovered that i would always need aman to do that for me, infact there are things a woman cannot do ohhh today i suffered if only my brother was around to on the generator chai, we need our men sha

Just like you have stay at home dads and male chefs in ngeneral men could fix little things like broken pipe, leaking roof, and can easily spot any wiring gone wrong, it comes naturally to them like football , the percentage is very high for so please dont force it.

When you seek to own a voice, seek to be respected, seek to attain a certain heights not traditionally woman , seek for your daughters to get better economic , social and educational exposure ; then what are you ? Feminism is as natural as striving to survive against all the odds of life. You don’t have to know CNA to be a feminist . It is as natural as waking up and regulating your sleep at night. My mother, grandmother and aunties , most of whom were not lettered were all feminists. Nobody taught them to make their voice heard in the community, Nobody taught them to question certain norms that gave the males certain unfair advantage. Need I say that my grandmother ( though she became blind at the climax of her life ) was a terrible force to reckon with in her community. I do not like the feminism label because I don’t know why I must were that label to be me when men do not wear labels to be themselves. The more carefully we observe mankind, the more we are convinced that certain arguments are hopeless.

MLK wore the civil rights label. Mandela, the anti-apartheid sash. Things are not stable yet for women. So we wear what we must. That is those of us that take part in the effort. No one hoses down a house that’s not on fire.

Thank God she even denounced the feminism movement on Twitter sef. The only thing worse than being a feminist is being a Twitter feminist. And the only thing worst than that is being a NIGERIAN TWITTER FEMINIST.

Not surprised Croatian President is not a feminist though. I mean look at her, look at her energy, her aura, the vibe she oozes out every time. Who in their right mind would see that kind of a woman and not love her…. Now compare that to your aunty Chichi that is always angry all the time. Shior

Anyways most of what you wrote here is utter crap… As usual (after all its BN) but I don’t have time to be doing analysis yet. Let me eat first.

That women can come on bn and agree and disagree with comments, that we can be arguing about a FEMALE presidential candidate, that we are liberated enough to research and come to conclusions right or wrong about issues is all credit to efforts fo feminist movements past. Opression of womens rights is a real issue. Lets never forget how privileged we are to be living in these times. Also, if your arguments are always steeped in “it is not our culture” “it is against my religion”, You are likely to be on the wrong side of history. Ask Hitler, The people who crucified Christ, slave owners, Madibas captors and pro segregation activists.

“Your assumptions are your windows on the world. Scrub them off every once in a while, or the light won’t come in.” ― Isaac Asimov

Exactly! Women are denouncing the very efforts that allow them their freedoms. You can own your own phone, even passworded!! And your husband respects your privacy and you think it’s a right you naturally have. You’re making declarations as though others before you did not risk life, limb and reputation for you. A trip to Pakistan is what y’all need to give you a reality check.

Mimi please talk smart,nobody here ever said we are not supporting women’s right or that the awakening of women from oppressive past should not happen, we are saying all this can and should happen without the tag. If a woman doesn’t want to be called a feminist its fine, the important thing here should be we support equality among the sexes.

MIMI and AMa pleaaaaaasse women’s right and the fight for equality between men and women have way started before the feminist movement ok. The WOMEN SUFFRAGE began officially in the 19TH CENTURY these non feminist women are the ones who begun the fight for women and they are the ones whose effort the so called feminst movement are enjoying. So mske your research well before you come here to tslk.

@lola, the suffragettes were feminists. Get past the ‘tag’. Understand the premise. Civil rights activist was also an undesirable tag in 1950’s America amongst blacks even, as they were seen as trouble makers.

I can’t even begin to think if all the things that are wrong with Eunice’s comments, if indeed she made them. These are an extremely myopic view of what feminism is. Catch- all phrases that we pander about. Basically, she has said that feminists are man-haters, rude, and arrogant.

Some of the issues raised in the tweets are actually a reflection of the changing cultural environment we are in. These changes did not arise out of being a feminist, but are simply economic and because some people are just I’ll mannered.

These statements don’t even go to the root of the issues.

Eunice, if you are reading this, we don’t expect you to be perfect all the time. But your statements, particularly towards such a principal issue must be informed and well considered.

I don’t find it sad or tiring, just funny. She has a right not to identify as feminist. People like Funmi Iyanda don’t either. Funmi still has my love and respects. Some people just don’t like labels. But I do not classify Eunice in this group based on her faux- understanding of the terminology from her tweets. The kind of reasoning you expect from a beer-parlour enthusiast, not a so-called presidential aspirant. Compare and contrast Kingsley Maghalu’s take on the subject (even though I don’t agree with some statements there) to what Eunice was parroting on Twitter. So no, I will not attack a Kingsley, because 1) He has a right to not identify as feminist. 2) He’s anti tokenism. I don’t believe in quota system. 3) Eunice initial tweets were about representation based on gender. No. 2 defeats this ideology. The concept of getting more women involved in politics and expecting a change in the societal position of women, is a LIE, rotflmao! 4) He argues from a position of meritocracy. Fine by me! I can have a debate with a Kingsley, not a Eunice. Sorry, the attempt to equalize the two characters, ko le werk, lmao!

I am not feminist either but human and demand justice and opportunities for all. Shoot me! We can’t all want the same things and be the same. Like she said, feminism is now a battle for control and power yet the women who say these things are successfully married and with their husbands e.g. Beyonce and chimamanda if what they preach is true, why didn’t Beyonce cheat as well that is feminism/ equality…

Rotflmao! Your last statement is why feminists insult you people and call you dumb, veering on intellectual inferiority. If they come for you now, you will start crying that people don’t want you to not be feminist. Lmao. Han Han, aunty you sef read that comment again, Lmao. E get sense? Lmao!

Errmmmmm, we read our comment quite alright and while it looks stupid to you. Feminism has been lost as a male contest thing rather than for the empowerment of women. I will not associate my self with something though defined, but now redefined to meaning a thug of war of dominance. I am woman though powerful without measure I know my role and play it to the best of my ability. The reason why this is even a topic for debate is because we know the truth which is the true meaning of feminism has been lost all thanks to the voltrons who have made it about them (selfish) and not about the girl child who has no access to school or a good education because she is woman or the women who can’t and are not allowed to drive cause they have a vagina or the woman whose only purpose in life is to give life to another and nothing more. This is feminism to me (there is more of course) Not the mumbo chumbo we have all made it out to be. So yes! My previous comment is laughable, stupid and not even worth of a second thought.Hope you sleep better now?😊

Your emotional projections on feminism are not facts. You need to know the difference.

Let’s go by your logic!

So if a woman gets raped, she should rape the man back to ‘equalize’ the situation?

1. On what metric or grounds of logic, law, cultural, religious or moral entity would one argue this for?

2. Can you provide evidence that feminists have argued based on this reason?

This is a straw man’s argument. As they say you are entitled to your sentimental opinions, but not your fact. And the only fact here was you made an intellectually inferior argument.

Now to teach you how to make a good argument next time so you won’t disgrace yourself, you have to start from this premise:

The fundamental ideology of feminism is gender equality.

According to the UN, Gender equality, equality between men and women, entails the concept that all human beings, both men and women, are free to develop their personal abilities and make choices without the limitations set by stereotypes, rigid gender roles and prejudices. Gender equality means that the different behaviour, aspirations and needs of women and men are considered, valued and favoured equally. It does not mean that women and men have to become the same, but that their rights, responsibilities and opportunities will not depend on whether they are born male or female. Gender equity means fairness of treatment for women and men, according to their respective needs. This may include equal treatment or treatment that is different but which is considered equivalent in terms of rights, benefits, obligations and opportunities. Gender equality is achieved when women and men enjoy the same rights and opportunities across all sectors of society, including economic participation and decision-making, and when the different behaviours, aspirations and needs of women and men are equally valued and favoured.

Now a deviation from this premise will lead you into projecting your uncontrolled sentiments into the topic. A critique of the institution should start from here. Any other thing is your sentiments over riding your better judgement or rather a mental/genetic defect in your brain which you need to check out. It is important you think critically in public spaces before making such irresponsible gaffes.

She complains of MELANIA but unknowingly to her the husband is dying silently, never added any weight since they married that man barely smils, chai imagine what he suffers at home, if he ask for extra slice of bread she would say IS IT BECAUSE AM A WOMAN I SHOULD NOT EZT MORE THAN YOU lllloooolssss. Please its not a SUCCESSFUL marriage ohh dont be deceived. Even beyonce the feminist is forcing herself to manage Jayz because she want fam, though i dont like divorce but a quiet seperation will do.

A woman who is vying for president being attacked by her fellow women bcos she refused (her choice) to identify with thier secret occultic label.

Anyaway that is nothing new… I just want to clarify some rubbish that I read and I have been seeing.

This delusional lie.

1) feminism is not equality and will never be.. there is a reason it called “fem”nism and not equaism or humanism.

Feminism catters to a bunch of toxic women with toxic victimhood ideology who use equlity as a Trojan horse.

There favorite inane programmed comeback is always to read a stupid book or Google it(lol WTH is that even suppose to mean).

2) some are claiming that they will not vote for her as if you even knew about her or was going to vote for her before all this…tell it to the birds

3) finally,this delusional statement “she and the other women can even run to become president of a country (and that women today can vote) is due to the hard work of the feminism she casually condemns”

…..

That is a delusional lie she is is what she is only bcos of her parents love and provision and her hard work and not some delusional women that fought for her in Nigeria.

Pls can anyone name the so called feminists in Nigeria that fought for her in this country. The problem with alot of you is that you retards watch too much liberal media like the Joke CNN and Hollywood media and thinks you have made it.

Anyway,

I believe 100% that it won’t be long before we have the first female president of USA or Nigeria.

I believe 100% that as usual femtards won’t like the type of woman that will be that president and will fight and castigate her as a pick me or patriarchy princess.

No wonder Margaret Thatcher hated those angry birds with passion.

A woman can never truly succeed if she have that thier toxic mentality..tueh

Come to think about it, I don’t think we’re born equal or better yet if any two persons (are part from identical twins) are exactly the same. It will probably be a huge mistake to assume that everyone is exactly thesame.

However we are all human beings, and therefore we have unalienable rights, these can be scientifically proven. and you can not play politics with these rights.

It’s surprising that the author of this article has chosen to be very simplistic about feminism. The article shows some good research and yet the interpretation given to the findings from this research choose the most simplistic path. This is so typical of the average Nigerian youth. Please do more research on feminism. I did a course in Gender and the Law. At the end of the course, I reached the exact same conclusion as the Croatian President. I am not a feminist. But Feminism ACTUALLY means totally different things to different people. There are different theories on feminism. The definition you put forward is one of many and the altruistic one but in reality, the average feminist is pushing for advantages for women over their male counterparts whether they merit it or not. They are asking that certain policies be put in place that give a portion of power to a set of individuals ONLY because of their Sex. I am a woman and I want to be powerful. But whatever leadership position that I hope to find myself in, I want to merit it and not be given ONLY because I am a woman. If a man is more qualified for that position, why should a woman take it (even though less qualified) just because she’s a woman? The import of this is that women will over time become ceremonial leaders (not to be taken seriously) but not the meritorious leader. I am sure you will have begun to see that the issue is not so simple anymore. Please do more research. If a woman says she is not a feminist, it doesn’t mean that she is betraying her own kind, it may just mean she is a “humanist” and seeks the good of both female and male.

May I add that I think it also so simplistic for the writer and other folks to arrogate every progress made in regard to women’s rights and equality to feminism. The very first set and many sets of campaigners for women’s rights and issues of equality both in public and private lives did not come labeling themselves feminists. I believe the political movement called feminism and its many waves (I believe we are experiencing the third wave now) came later in time.

There is no need to denigrate any woman who refuses to be labeled a feminists. Rather let us educate ourselves and practice fairness, equality, meritocracy, patience and the very many other human virtues.

Thank you for reiterating the key issue upon which the author’s stance is built. A simplistic definition that ignores the current reality. I have also done some significant research on feminism for academic purposes as part of a PG course. I had to become objective about what feminism actually means, from the inception of the word, through different waves of feminist movement, to this current fourth wave. I simply cannot accept that feminism is a simple as the author has portrayed. This is perhaps the basis why some people have chosen to reject the label and pursue the altruistic goal that the simple definition presents unencumbered eg Merkel, the Croatian president and myself.

I have become a broken record on this post because it just isn’t as simple as the author makes it seem.

Humanist you say? Similar argument was made against the Black lives Matter movement. Many Caucasians though not subject to sporadic brutality by the law felt the word black should have been substituted with ‘All’. A bit myopic considering that there is a clear bias against one group in every facet of society. Much like women. So much so that even within the repressed groups women themselves are a sub group repressed even further. How can we talk about equal rights when men and women are not seated at the same table? It’ll be like calling the fire service but watching them hose down other houses along with yours, putting yours at jeopardy, because even though yours is at risk theirs are houses too. The folly is in obsessing over labels. If you truly understand the premise, you’d be a feminist too.

My problem with the world today is “If you don’t identify like me, then I don’t like you or support you”. We won’t all have the same ideals, so why can’t we co-exist? My opinion is not your opinion and thats fine, and let’s move on to other things…

Thankfully I’m privileged to have grown up in a household that doesn’t impose gender limitations based on me being a woman. Me and my brother were/are always treated the same and I didn’t know that female oppression was a thing until I was much older, and faced it outside the house. I’m sure if I asked my father the meaning of feminism, he won’t know but he made sure that both of us were treated the same way – clean up after yourself etc.

The thing about my father is that he grew up in a household where his dad didn’t do much, and his mother sent himself and his siblings to school (university level) as an illiterate woman who sold soap, so he felt that if his mother was literate, she would have been able to do more. On the other hand, my mother’s mother was the first person (as an illiterate) to build a house in her village, she sold jewelry and fine clothing for a living, also she left her husband’s house because of the issues they had – mind you, that was her second husband, so she was the kind of person that didn’t let society dictate to her what being a woman should be. My mum was also supposed to be married out to someone rich when she was younger, but she refused because she didn’t want to be a trophy wife. IMO, you would be surprised that the branded feminists in our time would quickly go for a money-bag as a shortcut and later come up with the whole “small girl, big God” phrase later.

So first I want to understand did feminism play a role in my grandmothers’ being able to provide for themselves and their children without relying on a man. My paternal grandmother is about 85 years old?

2. Did feminism affect my parent’s view on the sexes, and in how they raised us?

3. As for Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, was she a feminist being that she was the first woman who drove in Nigeria? What dividends of feminism was she reaping from? Was Obafemi Awolowo a feminist when he said education should be free in the West- did he say only men should be educated and does that make him a feminist? Even our beloved Michelle Obama has never identified as a feminist, but we see what she does for the girl-child so that’s not even debatable.

So why do I have to wear a label, just to prove that I support a cause? I can regularly donate to charities or give generous amounts of money to cancer research and the likes, must I be addressed as a philantropist if I don’t want to be? What’s the point of talking and branding myself as something and then when it’s time to walk the talk I’m inactive. What have some of the branded feminists done to improve the oppression of women in the society or do they just look the other way and only scream when it’s time for a debate? How do they empower their housemaids/nannies (you would be shocked how some of them treat their nannies) but claim to be feminists in suitable situations?

I understand that Eunice gave the most basic example of what feminism is perceived to be in Nigeria and I guess that hurts a lot of people but if she doesn’t want the label that’s fine. But truly many women in Nigeria, only believe in pulling out that “feminist” card when it’s favourable, forgetting that feminism is about both sexes. You shouldn’t be assaulted in any way, shape or form, which also applies to your houseboy/driver/any other male around you.

I also believe in standing up for your rights – male or female, and you don’t need a label to do so.

P.S – Only listening to constructive replies. If you feel the need to insult or use debasing words, then you’ve missed the point, and are not as intellectually developed/mature as you think you are.

The truth is that women want to eat their cake and have it They want to support the tenets of feminism-eg. reproductive rights, education, equality in the workforce, voting, etc. All of which were unheard of prior to the advent of feminism. However they don’t want to identify as feminists because its been misappropriated as a term for angry militant women and they are afraid to be identified as such. Tueeeh! See ehn, if it looks like a duck, walks like a duck, talks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it’s not an ogre or a lamb; IT’S A DUCK! If you support majority of the things that feminism advocates for women, then guess what, sister or brother? YOU’RE A FEMINIST! What kind of feminist you are is a different topic for another day. Shebi now even Egalitarians are identifying as ‘Jesus Feminists’ or ‘Christian Feminists.’ However, don’t reap the benefits of feminism and then try to run away when the kitchen gets hot! If you support the fundamentals, that makes you a FEMINIST. LOBATAN! LOL, it’s like saying I’m a woman who likes women but I’m heterosexual.

I appreciate women standing together, the challenge with feminism as a concept are the extremes and the broad spectrum of ideals it covers. The women running with their tops off – Feminist? The religious career woman supporting others and breaking boundaries – Feminist? Can you truly put both under a single title? Whilst their objectives may be somewhat similar, their approaches differ significantly. Another question, if Feminism truly is for women, why are women (let alone men) running from the title? I understand that as women, we are all entitled to have choices and do things our own way but the truth is whilst the overall achievements of women has been GREAT (not necessarily under the guise of feminist) and has moved women forward, the finer details of feminism need to be ironed out. Under feminism, some women appreciate doors being open, others don’t etc. As women if we cant agree on the meaning of feminism with the appreciation of its variances within, then it’ll be difficult to get others to take us seriously. Lastly, I have a few questions please: – Can you be breaking boundaries, supporting other women without being a feminist or is it automatic? – Can men be feminists? :-/

There are no courses on Feminism in Nigerian Universities and no Gender Studies programmes as well. This is the reason for the large-scale ignorance of what it means in a Nigerian context. Feminism is not about hating men, wanting to replace men or refusing to cook or clean. If you think this is what feminism is about, you need to do some research. I am surrounded by bright, intelligent and savvy women who are held back by the men around them. The mother who pass up on many opportunities because her husband’s ego was hurt, the wife whose business shut down because her husband felt threatened, the widow who cannot lay claim to her husbands properties, the daughter who cannot inherit her fathers wealth, the corn seller who cannot access family planning, the young wife who is beaten and abused daily but is silenced under religion and culture, women dying daily because we do not have health policies and laws to protect women, the 12 year old girl who is married off to a 50 year old man, the 14 year old who has her genitals mutilated, the 18 year old kidnapped and raped by Boko Haram and later ostracised by her community for getting pregnant, the student who gets harrassed sexually by her Professor for marks… There are many ways women are humiliated and limited in our society due to patriarchal dominance in culture, religion, politics, business, marriage and even in death. Feminists are people who are passionate and involved in changing the root causes of these problems: the perception that a woman’s life and body is not her own and the perception that women are somehow lesser just by virtue of their “womanness”. It is not a competition with men. It is a fight for all women to live with dignity in this world.

My own take on this issue is that – If I merit a role or a post due to my qualification, experience or abilities – then give it to me -Don’t pass me over and hand it to the boy next to me. Neither do I want you to pity me to hand it to me – cause I won’t like to be indebted to (you.) Except on occasions where its a developmental role and seeking to groom/ expose potentials/talent still embedded within

I won’t spank your bum or run my hand over chest in public – then don’t do same to me.

Nor will I speak to you in a derogatory manner -then address me with respect to.

If I need to lift any thing heavy – If I could I’ll, If I couldn’t -I’ll ask the next person -if that happens to be another girl; fine,or a guy; fine – Its only a matter of time before he/she needs something I’m good at or have.

If there’s a topic for discussion during a meeting – and there’s a opportunity for me to air my opinion – I would love to be given a chance to speak and be heard; same way every other person has been given a chance to speak and not ignored. -Same manner, I ll listen to whatever any other person has to say…not in a bid to change their opinion but to hear them.

Just treat me well in fairness and respect – same manner I will treat you.

If wanting these makes me a feminist, oh yeah I am!

If wanting these makes me a human right activist ( cause I advocate the same thing for any other person), oh yeah I am!

Christians are defined as a lots of things but I know the type of a Christian I am

Nigerians/Africans/blacks in diaspora are defined as a lot of things out here but I know who I am. I am a daughter,wife and Mom – these roles have got different perspectives and definitions yet I know the sort of daughter, wife & Mom that I am.

I come from a long lineage of Women and Men who did things in their days that contradicted the societal norm in their days – there were local names/terms to define them however I believe it were today – the women will be no different from the suffragettes who are fundamentally feminist) and the Men – human rights activist.